Page 48 of Lawton

It didn't matter. Sleep wasn't my friend. I wasn't like those guys in the mattress commercials, who lay there, peaceful as hell while little white sheep leapt over their heads.

For me, it wasn't like that. When my eyes were closed, I didn't see sheep. I saw wolves in disguise – gangbangers, bookies, and so-called friends.

Every once in a while, I saw Chloe. I felt myself smile. In my memories, I saw her face. I heard her voice. Those were the good nights. On those nights, sleep wasn't half-bad.

And now, she was my neighbor. At the thought of her living just beyond my fence, I got out of bed and threw on some workout clothes. By eight o'clock, I'd already run ten miles and hit the weights, hard, in the basement.

I'd also showered, dressed, and shoved a new bag of doggie treats into the front pocket of my jeans.

I grabbed some juice and headed for my study. When she walked by, whenever that was, I'd be ready.

Chapter 23

A few hours later, it was a repeat of the previous day. But this time, when Chloe reached the front gate, I was heading out my front door. At the sight of me, she stopped and gave me a puzzled look, as if she couldn't decide if I was heading out toward her or toward the sedan that I'd left in the turnaround last night.

As for the dog, it stopped only a split second before lunging toward me like his life depended on it.

Behind him, Chloe grabbed the leash with both hands. "Chucky!" she called as the dog dragged her along behind him. "Stay!" She laughed. "Or heel! Or something! Aw, come on! You aresucha stinker!"

The dog wasn't listening. ButIwas.

Stumbling forward with her little dog, she looked happy and carefree, like the first days of summer after a long, cold winter.

It was funny, because winter was just around the corner. It was that time of year, almost November. Long, grey days were coming fast. Still, at the sight of Chloe, laughing in the sunshine, I felt warmth surge in all the right places.

A winter withher, nowthatwould be something.

When I reached the sidewalk, I grinned down at the dog, who jumped up to paw at my legs. I pulled out the treats and gave them a shake.

From a few feet away, Chloe was breathless, but still laughing. "You aresucha trouble-maker."

I grinned over at her. "Me? Or the dog?"

"Both."

I lifted the bag of treats. "You care?"

She rolled her eyes. "Oh, like I could say nonow."

She was right. She couldn’t say no. And I damn well knew it. Was I playing dirty? Maybe.

But I had a plan. My plan was to take it slow, be friendly, but not too friendly. I'd known lots of girls. I'dhadlots of girls. But I'd never had a girl like Chloe – a nice girl from a nice family.

I'd never met Chloe's family, but it was easy to see that she came from a different world. I glanced around. She came fromthisworld, a world of bankers and business people, a world where people had gardeners and goals and plans for the future. I almost smiled. Civilized people.

As for me, I had my own history and reputation. Some of it was earned. Some of it wasn't. My job was to make her forget all that.

Step one – bribe the dog. I crouched down and gave Chucky a few treats. After he wolfed them down, I scratched behind his ears until he flopped down at my feet, looking like he'd just gotten lucky with his favorite lady dog.

Chloe crouched down beside me. She gave the terrier a perplexed look. "Are you sure that's the same dog?" She looked up, meeting my gaze. "You didn't pull a switch-a-roo, did you?"

She was so close, I could see the flecks of green and gold in her hazel eyes. She had long, dark lashes and eyebrows just a shade darker than her windblown hair.

Our lips were just inches apart, almost within kissing distance. I wanted to lean closer. Something in her eyes told me there was a chance – maybe a good chance – that she'd meet me halfway.

But there was better chance she'd run off and never come back.

So instead, I stood and offered to take Chucky's leash. Unlike yesterday, she didn't argue.